Ballroom and Latin dance terms and definitions!

In this dictionary you will find definitions for dances and dance terms used on this site and in the ballroom dance community. Terms are sorted alphabetically, making this a handy reference for beginning and advanced dancers alike. Common Abbreviations are listed in their own section.

third position - Heel to instep, or ball to heel. Used in rock steps, shuffles, polkas, triple steps, and basic swing.

time signature - The sign of figures at the beginning of a musical composition or section or movement indicating the number and kind of beats to the bar (e.g. 3/4 indicates 3 beats to the bar, with the number 4 signifying that the basic beat is a quarter note).

top line – A posture and frame concept. The horizontal line that runs from elbow to elbow and through both shoulder blades.

traveling pivots - Pivots danced down LOD in extended 5th position.

Triple step - Triple steps are popular in swing dancing. The Triple Step is a three step sequence taken on two beats of music. If the first step of the triple step is taken on count 1, the second step is taken on the half beat between counts 1&2, and the third step is taken on count 2. The step timing is often called out as 1&2. Usually the triple step is two quick steps and one slow, called out as "quick-quick-slow", or, using numbers, as "one-and-two.”See 'Basic Steps in Ballroom Dancing' video >>